Tires with low rolling resistance for electric cars

Special tires from Continental with up to 30 percent less rolling resistance mean a substantial increase in range for electric cars

Conti.eContact available in versions for electric cars and hybrids

More approvals from automakers expected

Continental has two tires in its portfolio that are specially designed for electric vehicles and hybrids. Both are manufactured under the name Conti.eContact but each is geared to a specific drivetrain – electric or hybrid. The 20-inch Conti.eContact for electric vehicles delivers rolling resistance that is an impressive 30 percent or so lower than that of a conventional tire. The 17- or 18-inch Conti.eContact for hybrids may offer “only” 20 percent less rolling resistance, but this tire can also be fitted to powerful cars and SUVs. At the same time, both of these special low-rolling-resistance tires also deliver impressive performance on both wet and dry roads. As a result, Continental can supply manufacturers of electric vehicles with tires that can theoretically extend the range of their models by up to six percent – an argument that can help persuade drivers of the benefits of electric mobility. And thanks to its reduced rolling resistance, the Conti.eContact for hybrids enables these cars to cover longer stretches in electric mode, which not only benefits the environment but also cuts operating costs. Tires from the Conti.eContact series have already won approvals from VW and Renault, and Continental is expecting further approvals from leading German and European automakers in the course of this year.

In the Conti.eContact for electric cars, the Hanover-based tire manufacturer has opted for what is known as the “tall and narrow” concept. At 20 inches, tires designed to this principle have a very large diameter for a car tire and are relatively narrow. These special dimensions alone enabled the tire developers to achieve a marked reduction in rolling resistance. In pursuit of further savings, however, they also examined every component of this tire separately for its potential contribution to optimum rolling resistance.

With its 17 and 18-inch dimensions, the Conti.eContact for hybrids has more in common with conventional tires. As it is also fitted to powerful SUVs, at first glance this tire may look similar to conventional SUV or car tires. In fact, though, for this tire too, by scrutinizing every component the development engineers have succeeded in cutting rolling resistance by around 20 percent. The Conti.eContact for hybrids is the first Continental tire to win ‘A’ ratings on the EU Tire Label for both rolling resistance and braking in the wet. Continental manufactures both of these tires in limited series at its French plant in Sarreguemines.